Newswire

The International 12-Meter Assn., meeting in New York, asked the San Diego Yacht Club and New Zealand's Mercury Bay Boating Club to agree that the winner of their 1988 competition conduct a 1991 defense in 12-meter boats.

San Diego agreed, having already announced such a plan after New Zealand merchant banker Michael Fay had challenged with a larger boat for '88.

Fay was en route to New York for today's meeting of other big-boat advocates and was not immediately available for comment.